Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Washington Redskins Cut Adam Archuleta 2.0

Phew...that was quick. Adam Archuleta, err, Stuart Schweigert was cut yesterday afternoon by the Washington Redskins.

I saw this news come across the wire about 6:30 pm yesterday...and didn't think much of it until today. Then I realized how close the Redskins were to Archuleta Redux. No, not the huge contract, but the possibility of a malcontent.

You see, the Washington Redskins have put themselves in a bind in the past. They sign a guy to a huge contract, it doesn't work out, then the player gets unhappy. The only problem is that crazy huge contract makes it almost impossible to part ways the moment things go sour.

Not in this case. Stuart Schweigert was a decent safety in Oakland and he had a decent shot at making the Redskins roster even though the Skins drafted Kareem Moore and Chris Horton late in the 2008 draft. Enter Sunday...Chris Horton had a great game (for a rookie) and Schweigert didn't show up. If you factor in the practices the writing is on the wall. After two weeks of training camp Horton improved (and impressed) and Schweigert didn't. Two men enter, one man leave.

You see, the Redskins are learning. No huge bonuses being thrown around, no draft picks wasted, and most importantly no time wasted at another players expense. Another player as in, Moore and/or Horton. Those guys will only benefit from the departure of Schweigert. Go back to 2006, when Archuleta was on the Skins roster. That was also the year Pierson Prioleau blew out his knee and the year we drafted Reed Doughty. You can't help but imagine how much more Doughty would have learned/improved had Archuleta been released the moment the Skins realized he wouldn't fit in. Or, the long shots Antuan Edwards, Ben Emanuel, or Mike Rumph...maybe they "could have" had just that much more attention from coaches to make a difference.

Maybe Kareem Moore and Chris Horton make the team in 2008, maybe they don't. But, by the Redskins releasing Stuart Schweigert they will have a better chance not only making the team, but to learn more in the coming weeks. That's how you grow your team through the draft.

Hail.

James Thrash is 3rd Redskins WR, Others fight for 6th spot

Redskins Insider reported Washington Redskins veteran wide receiver James Thrash has the third wide receiver spot locked down. This isn't surprising since rookies Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly are both injured, but what is clear is that it appears likely Thrash will make this squad.

There was some speculation earlier in the year that a youth movement may be underway in the Redskins receiving corps. But it looks like the special teams stud, Thrash, will remain and may even contribute to the offense while Thomas and Kelly heal and try to catch up on what they missed.

The following will definitely make the team:

Santana Moss
Antwaan Randle El
James Thrash
Devin Thomas
Malcolm Kelly

These dudes are on the bubble, with likely one spot left on the roster:

Anthony Mix
Billy McMullen
Horace Grant
Burl Toler
Maurice Mann

My bet is on McMullen. I was a fan of Mix, but a lot of drops early in training camp followed by an injury may have given McMullen an advantage.

The other dudes are too raw in my opinion, but you never know.

Besides, does the 6th wide receiver really matter? Sure depth is good, but Campbell already has many options when he drops back (Moss, Randle El, Cooley, Davis, Portis, Sellers).